Holding tanksFailures

[richfaa]

Maybe it is just me that got the lemons and all the defective holding tanks. We have had 7 holding tanks fail on two Montana's over a 7 year period 2006 to 2013. We have travelled over 70 K miles between the two Montana's and although not 24/7 365 Full-timers we do live in this Rig a lot like 6 months steady every year since 2006 and about 2 to 3 months more when travelling out of the home base S&B.

I have had enough and want to get to the bottom of the tank failures.

We need data to present to Keystone' I would ask for everyone who has had a holding tank failure post HERE..

Year of Unit type of tank failure, Gray, Black, galley, Fresh.


If it is just me and no one else has the problem so be it and we have no reason to present anything to Keystone.

we are a good representative cross section of Montana owners and our input should define a real problem or none at all.

I will do the leg work we just need the data one way or the other.

[Carl n Susan]

Our 2005 2955 experienced a cracked gray tank at the outlet pipe (the normal spot due to drain pipe flex). It had traveled over 25K miles and was used heavily (6-8 months a year). Our 2012 3700 is failure free after 13K miles towing and heavy usage. We never travel with fluid in tanks (excepts for the fresh water one). We do tend to fill the tanks before dumping as opposed to leaving the valves open.

[bw2]

2006 3400RL. Black tank cracked near the outlet in the winter 2011. Replaced tank by a reputable RV repair company near Goshen in May 2012. THAT black tank cracked in Nov. 2013 and now has a J&B Weld with fiberglass mesh patch as it sits in Florida. Added bracing underneath the tank and installed a rubber 'boot' in the outlet pipe.

Repair company stated that the tanks did not require bracing nor the boot So, what to say or do?

Longtimers. First tank approx. 25k to 30k miles. Latest tank 10k. I run with a few gallons of water in the tank.

[Tom S.]

quote:[i]
Repair company stated that the tanks did not require bracing nor the boot So, what to say or do?

Coming from someone who gets paid to repair them when they fail, I wouldn't put a lot of faith in that statement. In the few times I've been told something similar by a repair person, I've asked if they'll fix it for free next time. So far no one has said yes.

[1retired06]

Our 2005, back gray tank. Repaired myself, seam split. No other problems from 2002 to date.

[hookman]

We had a galley tank failure last March it was replaced at our dealer in April. Last week it failed again it will last through the winter and the dealer is going to replace it April again. Good thing for extended warranty. The new tank came from Montana.

[oldelmer1]

My black tank split at the top, where the top cover was glued onto the body.

But, it was my fault, left the black tank flush on too long. Um, like 3 hours too long.

[akf15e]

2009 3400RL, galley tank began leaking this year (March). Local RV dealer patched it - said it was cracked. I don't routinely travel with water in any tank except the fresh.

[steelpony5555]

Our galley tank split this past spring on our 2006. It was parked in a RV camp ground. Tank filled to full and when I went out to pull the handle heard the water gushing already. RV dealer said it was a pretty good size split so replaced tank.

[Jay Bird]

2007 3400 Grey tank cracked at the neck. I let it fill to standing water in the shower a couple of times. Once repaired I emptied it more regularly and had no further problems. Had the Montana 61/2 years. Over 40k miles. Only traveled with 1/3 water in fresh water tank. No problems.

[Sheepdog]

[quote]Originally posted by Jay Bird

2007 3400 Grey tank cracked at the neck. I let it fill to standing water in the shower a couple of times. Once repaired I emptied it more regularly and had no further problems. Had the Montana 61/2 years. Over 40k miles. Only traveled with 1/3 water in fresh water tank. No problems.


Nice Level Ups George!

[RRman]

I have to blame myself for both Gray and Black Tank failures along the bottom edges and at the outlets due to inadvertent overfilling. Plastimend successfully repaired.

[Chip]

Ok, so what does overfilling do to cause the tank to crack? I overfilled our 07 gray tanks many times and never had a failure. There is not much more water volume when the tank is full and when it is backed up into the shower or sink. I wouldn't go down the road in that condition however.

[Big Dave]

My black tank had to be replaced as it leak when filled to capacity. The dealer contacted Keystone, they agreed to replace it under warranty, when the dealer dropped the tank, they found foot prints on the tank from the factory, which caused it to crack at several locations on the upper portion of the tank, to include a huge crack and gap at the vent pipe. So this was a factory Quality problem and not due to towing.

My 3750FL was only towed from the dealer to the RV park about 5 miles away and parked. I have been living in it full time and always noticed an odor, now I know why.

I have 3 years to work then retirement and travel, I will have my Montana paid for and hopefully all the bugs worked out by then!

[richfaa]

I am seeing a trend. In many cases it is our fault for filling the tanks to over flowing. Our tanks when full never overf lowed and the way we knew they were full was when the gray and galley water came up into the sink or bathtub. So the failures are our fault for filling the tanks up. I see nowhere in any literature were it says do not fill up the tanks as they will overflow and crack??

The purpose of this thread was to gain information on why the tanks fail and we are doing that. Keep the info coming.

[JandC]

Before everyone gets the idea that the holding tanks in Montana fivers are all junk and will probably fail at some point, shouldn't some numbers be compared on how many Montana units are actually out there being used and have not had tank issues. How about comparing those numbers to SOB'S that are out there being used and their tank issues. Are there 10 out of every 100 Montana fivers on the road today that have tank failures, or is the number really more like 10 out of every 5,000? Also, out of all those failures are half caused by owner error? My point being is this really a major defect with Keystone that happens all the time or just something that has actually happen to less than 1 or 2 percent of current owners?

[richfaa]

Actually those figures are not known except to the warranty repair numbers kept by the manufacture and I really do not care about any SOB brand failure in any area as I have a Montana.

It appears from the post here that it is not a concern and in most cares the users fault and something that we RV owners seem to accept in our Rv's. I see no trend except for owner negligence.

That is really what I was trying to find out. The 7 failed tanks in our two Montana's was our bad luck and Montana is not to be blamed. we will deal with the tank problems in our own way. Thanks for the input.

[mhs4771]

I must have missed the Label saying to not fill the tanks past Half Full!! But you should be able to travel with some fluid in the tanks without worrying that they are going to dump their contents on the road.

[hookman]

I don't know I it is a tank failure or an installation fault but the same tank has failed twice in one year; We will find out in the spring as this time it is only leaking when nearly full. We do not travel with full tanks as I dump all tanks before we travel except for no more than 1/3 of a tank of fresh water and a little bit that is put in the tanks when we stop for a break on the road. We have had 4 other RVs and these are the first tank problems. The tanks might not as strong as they use to be as these manufactures are always trying to find away to lighten the weight of the RVs.

[akf15e]

Can someone enlighten me as to what "owner error" is with respect to holding tanks? I bought a mobile unit to camp in. It has holding tanks. It would follow that someone would travel with this mobile unit with fluid in those tanks, and not be unreasonable to even expect them to hold together even if full. Many, many people boondock or camp at facilities with no dump station and must travel to a truck stop, Flying J, etc to dump. Also, as for overfilling, as long as the fluid has an outlet, i.e., back up the drain, there really can't be an inordinate amount of pressure being exerted. The fluid going down into a full tank is not under pressure, other than that due to gravity. I have never overfilled my galley tank and that is the one that failed on my unit.